OUR VIEW: Don’t duck debates, Rep. Markey

The SouthCoast — and Fall River in particular — has long been seen as a gold mine of reliable Democratic votes. Perhaps that’s why statewide Democratic politicians seem to take the area for granted and Republicans tend to write it off as a lost cause.

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

Writer

Posted Jun. 1, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 1, 2013 at 1:22 AM

Posted Jun. 1, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 1, 2013 at 1:22 AM

» Social News

The SouthCoast — and Fall River in particular — has long been seen as a gold mine of reliable Democratic votes. Perhaps that’s why statewide Democratic politicians seem to take the area for granted and Republicans tend to write it off as a lost cause.

As a result of the lack of competitiveness, when it comes to statewide races, the SouthCoast is generally low on the candidates’ and their campaigns’ radars. This year’s special election to fill the remainder of Secretary of State John Kerry’s U.S. Senate term seems to be no different.

While the candidates from both parties have made some “face time” on the SouthCoast, glad-handing donors, voters and local officials at diners and other “meet and greets” in the area, voters are generally not treated to substantive debates and forums that allow them an opportunity to compare and contrast the candidates’ positions.

Furthermore, the SouthCoast is at a disadvantage when it comes to getting to know the candidates because it is covered by the Providence media market, while most Massachusetts televised debates and political analysis are carried by the Boston TV market. The Providence media market naturally tends to focus more on Rhode Island politics, but covers SouthCoast news more than the Boston channels.

The South Coast Alliance — a consortium of media outlets, foundations, educational institutions and Chambers of Commerce in the region — has, in recent years, provided an opportunity to bring debates to the SouthCoast. In last year’s high-profile U.S. Senate race between Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican Scott Brown, it was the incumbent, Brown, who snubbed the South Coast Alliance’s proposed debate. Warren, who accepted the invite, had the forum all to herself without being challenged.

This year, the Alliance has proposed a U.S. Senate debate between Democrat Ed Markey and Republican Gabriel Gomez to be held at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and televised by WJAR Channel 10 in Providence. While Gomez has committed to the debate, Markey’s participation is still up in the air.

In this year’s competitive special election race, Gomez is not taking any potential votes for granted. Despite the area’s deep blue political roots, there are also independents and perhaps conservative Democrats that the moderate Gomez is hoping to court, along with the Republican base.

Markey has seemed to follow in the foosteps of Martha Coakley’s failed 2010 special election campaign by keeping a low profile. So far, Markey has agreed to a debate Tuesday, sponsored by The Boston Globe and Boston’s WBZ Channel 4, a Western Massachusetts media consortium debate on June 11 and a Boston media consortium debate on June 18.

There seems to be little reason for Markey not to debate, other than perhaps strategically denying voters the opportunity to see his relatively unknown competitor and dodge tough questions. It’s become a common tactic when a better known candidate faces a lesser known one. And it represents a terrible disservice to voters who have the right to know where the candidates stand.

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Rather than being overly confident, Markey ought to remember that while he has a long congressional career, he is not exactly a household name in this part of Massachusetts. What does Markey have to lose by debating? The congressman would likely come across very well in a debate. He is very knowledgeable about public policy, personable and quick on his feet.

If Markey chooses to snub the SouthCoast, a more visible Gomez may be able to capitalize on the angst of SouthCoast voters who feel they are too often forgotten about by politicians from other parts of the state. In a tight special election where he’s seen as a Washington insider, Markey ought to remember that the risk of not bothering to debate a competitive opponent could outweigh the perceived benefit of dodging it.

Let’s hope that Markey does the right thing and gives SouthCoast voters the opportunity to substantively compare the candidates’ positions on federal issues of importance to our region. It’s the least he could do if the congressman is banking on the SouthCoast’s support to help carry him to the Senate.

Correction: This editorial has been revised to reflect Markey's agreement to participate in three debates, rather than one as the originial version of the editorial erroneously reflected.The Herald News regrets the error.